Cascade Drive-In

West ChicagoOpen daily June through August

Pack your cooler, lawn chairs, and sleeping bags for a summer night at the drive-in, where sweet nostalgia includes a double feature, retro cartoons, and cheap eats at the concession stand. 1100 E. North Ave., 630-231-3150; $9 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 11

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Vintage Rides

WheatonFridays through 8/31, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Steps from the Metra station, Wheaton’s historic downtown lures people out to the public square with loads of antique and muscle cars, popcorn, and ice cream. Make a night of it with dinner on the pretty garden patio at Ivy (120 N. Hale St., 630-665-2489; entrées from $15.95). Front and Main Streets, 630-682-0633; free

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TopGolf

Wood Dale

In a mash-up that brings to mind the disco-bowling trend, TopGolf combines a three-story outdoor driving range with a bar, restaurant, rooftop lounge, and live music on Fridays. Of course, the golfing is completely automated: Whack your balls into the night and allow the embedded microchips to tabulate your score instantly. 699 W. Thorndale Ave., 630-595-4653; $35 for unlimited play

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Lake Ellyn Cardboard Regatta

Glen Ellyn6/30, noon

Thousands congregate on the shores of Lake Ellyn to watch competitors set afloat homemade cardboard boats and race to the finish. It’s a mad spectacle—extravagant vessels that sink are the best. Bring your binoculars. Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Rd.; free for spectators

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Taste of Melrose Park

Melrose Park8/31 to 9/2

Why travel to the burbs for yet another food fest? Trust us—this is the one if you love Italian food, with 80 booths and each dish priced at $3 or less. Don’t miss the doughnuts—called sfingi—hand-rolled by the nuns at the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo. 1000 N. 25th Ave., 708-343-4000; free admission

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Arlington Park Race Track

Arlington HeightsThrough 9/30

Honest-to-God horseracing right in our backyard. Take an afternoon off and cheer on a thoroughbred—or place a wager for as little as $2. Ride Metra to the park for an even easier outing. 2200 W. Euclid Ave., 847-870-7223; admission $4 to $18

Ribfest

Naperville6/29 to 7/3

All those neighborhood rib fests pale in comparison with the biggest, baddest around. Arrive at Knoch Park early to nab a spot; then take your time wandering from BBQ booth to BBQ booth. This year, the Steve Miller Band and ZZ Top headline. 724 S. West St., ribfest.net; tickets from $10